Supportive Living

Evergreen Elm’s Supportive Living consists of three programs. All three of these programs work with the participants age 18 and older who reside in McKean County. Each program’s goal is to build on the skills the individuals have and empower the participants by helping them to develop the skills needed to become as independent as possible in the setting of their choice.

The Mobile Medication program works with participants who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness and struggle with their medication regime. This is a teaching model where participants learn about their medications, how to manage their medications, and how to control symptoms that would otherwise put them at risk for a more restricted environment. Participants are assisted by one of Evergreen Elm’s registered nurses and medication techs to manage their medication and to learn about the signs and symptoms of their illness. These services are delivered within the participants own environment and are meant to be on a short term basis.

Evergreen Elm’s Mental Health Supportive Living Program works with individuals who have a mental illness and Evergreen Elm’s Home and Community rehabilitation program works with individuals who have intellectual disabilities. The participants need supported with the skills of community living. Services can include but are not limited to daily living skills, medication monitoring, shopping, home maintenance, and medical/dental appointments. The need for service is based upon a team approach which often consists of the individual, the individual’s case manager and/or supports coordinator, McKean County Human Services, and Evergreen Elm. Each participant works toward accomplishing goals and progress toward independence. The trained staff offer suggestions, direction and support to increase the participant’s skills.

Evergreen Elm Supportive Living works with the individuals from many facets of life. There is not a typical picture of what a participant looks like. A participant can be newly diagnosed or have had a lifelong history with diagnosis. Some participants are eager for the help, some are resistant. Some participants are to proud to accept the help while others would rather the service be delivered without notice. Some participants live alone, some live with family and others live with peers. Some participants hold full time jobs within the community, some work within a sheltered workshop and some are very involved within the community. Whatever the circumstances, Evergreen Elm’s Supportive Living program is able to offer the support individually based geared around by the participant’s needs.